Fieldworkers: Preparing Future Pastors

Pastor Adam McDowell • July 27, 2026

Our Partnership with Our Seminary

This past weekend, we had the joy of hearing our fieldworker, Christian Salemink, preach his very first sermon in a worship service. This sermon was a year in the making and represents an important part of St. Peter’s partnership with the Seminary in preparing future pastors and deaconesses for service in Christ’s Church.

Christian, like all pastors in formation, studies several disciplines in preparation for preaching. Before entering the pulpit, a seminarian must take courses in biblical languages, Christian doctrine, liturgy, homiletics (the study of sermon preparation and delivery) and the practical application of these disciplines.

Before a fieldworker preaches, we also walk with him through the entire process of sermon preparation. This includes studying the biblical text, identifying the sermon’s central theme, developing its structure, and working through writing and editing. Finally, the student delivers the sermon to a pastor beforehand so that we can discuss its content, theology, delivery, and pastoral purpose.

These preparations lead to deep conversations not only about theology, but also about the people who will hear the sermon. The goal is larger than preparing one sermon, we are helping prepare the student for the many sermons he may be called to preach throughout his ministry. Christian’s first sermon was naturally both a joyful and anxious occasion, and we are very pleased with the thoughtful work he put into it.

Christian and all our fieldworkers have opportunities to put their seminary instruction into practice here at St. Peter’s. They teach people of various ages, attend meetings, participate in worship, and become involved in the daily life of the congregation. Our pastors mentor these students and encourage them to recognize and develop the gifts the Lord has given them. Some aspects of ministry come naturally; others require greater effort, experience, and growth.

St. Peter’s is uniquely equipped to provide many different settings in which future church workers can learn. Through our congregation, school, Bible studies, youth ministry, worship services, and other ministries, students encounter many of the joys and challenges of serving God’s people. In this way, our congregation plays an important role in carrying forward the instruction these students receive at the seminary.

Please keep Christian; his wife, Maggie; their son, Oliver; and their little one on the way in your prayers. This fall, we expect to welcome another fieldworker to our ministry team, so please pray for this student as well. We also remember all those preparing to serve in the eight professional churchwork vocations of the LCMS.

It is a blessing for St. Peter’s to help prepare students for service in the ministry of Christ’s Church. We thank God for Christian, for our future fieldworkers, and for the privilege of participating in the formation of those who will proclaim the Gospel and serve God’s people for years to come.

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August Happenings

By Amy Widener • July 27, 2026

August Opportunities for Fellowship & Learning (In alphabetical order) Altar Guild Annual Potluck Meeting Wednesday, August 19th @ 6:00 pm in the Cornerstone Room If you're one of the ladies in our Altar Guild thank you. Be sure to join us for our annual potluck supper with a meeting following. Bible Studies (click for details) New Sunday series continues, but summer plans for weekday studies will be ending soon. Stay tuned for dates of when those will start to meet regularly again. Christian Education Weekend (Backpack Blessing) During all worship services August 8-9th Rededicate our faculty and staff to their teaching ministry as well as rededicate ourselves as a congregation to praying for them, encouraging them, and supporting the work God has given us to do together. Students may also get their backpack blessing tag for this school year. School starts August 12th! At the 10:30 AM service, we will also install Janet Bahr as our assistant principal and Dianna Bultemeier as a called teacher of St. Peter's. Please join us for a reception honoring Janet and Dianna on the church's front porch following this service. Confirmation Kick-Off Sunday, August 9th during the Bible Study hour @ 9:15 am in the Sanctuary Parents and students (7th & 8th graders) of our day school and public school will meet to prep for the upcoming year with Pastor McDowell. Plan to attend and remember the Confirmation Site on The Hub will be updated soon with everything you need to know as far as expectations, handbook, assignments, deadlines, and event dates. Collections/Fundraiser (ongoing) The Compassionate Care Collection is prepping hygiene kits for the Lutheran World Relief: The LWR collection will be through July and August--details can be found on the LWR.org/kits site or HERE . Needed are: light weight bath sized towels (between 20" x 40" to 27" x52"), bath-size soap bars in original wrapper, adult toothbrush, sturdy comb, metal nail clippers--all items must be new and NOT have religious symbols or patriotic decoration. Special Monthly Offering: This month we collect for our Preschool which is so appreciated by the faculty and students. You'll also see their annual Giving Tree displayed in the Ministry Center soon. Take a letter of the alphabet off the tree and bring back the supply listed. Stay tuned for a video from our Preschool Director, Barb Christian, next week about these two opportunities to support our Preschool. Drums Alive Drums will take a break in August and come back in September with an updated schedule. Stay tuned! Monday Night Worship Summer Monday night worship ends August 31st. The following Monday is Labor Day and the church offices and schools will be closed. Senior Saints Monday, August 10th @ 11:30 am in the Cornerstone Room REGISTER HERE for this month's Lunch N' Learn featuring our own Tina Acosta who does amazing work through Turnstone. Turnstone is a place unlike any other and anyone who knows about it only has good things to say. If you'd like to know another reason Fort Wayne is such a great place to be, come listen as Tina will offer an overview of Turnstone and their services. Serving in the Church Offering your talents or acts of service is often something we all want to do, but not always sure where to start. Opportunities present themselves, but it's hard to remember them all or keep track of something that called to you at one point. The Serve tab in the Realm Connect app continues to add areas that are open and looking for someone just like you. Log in on your computer or through the app on your phone and scroll through the Roles to see if one is a good fit for you. Remember, signing up doesn't commit you to it, but does share that you'd like to be contacted about it. Sisters in Christ: Simple Quilting Craft Saturday, August 15th starting at 10 am in the Cornerstone Room REGISTER HERE FREE Regret never learning how to sew? Or haven’t picked up a needle and thread in a long time? Do not miss this opportunity to learn from ladies who’ve been sewing since 2nd grade! It’s nearly a lost art, but we’re bringing it back with Linda Thiele, Debbie Haenftling, Carol Nahrwold, and Jan Bultemeier who have curated a perfect practice project to teach you sewing and the basics of quilting in the form of a pot holder or trivet. Coordinate colors with your kitchen! It’s made for beginners, but any sewing ability is welcome. There’s so much knowledge combined in this room, if you have a question about anything related to needle and thread, they can answer it! We also gather the last Wednesday each month (July 29th this week and August 26th) at 5:00 pm Kekionga Craft Co, 7328 Maysville Rd. Come & go. Enjoy a little fellowship, prayer idea, and grab something to eat if you’d like. Young Adults Second Sundays, August 9th starting at 6 pm @ Pastor Nate's house Hosted by Ben & Gwyn Corley, we'll have dinner together, games, and devotion. Bring a friend and fellowship with us. REMEMBER August 9th is also the last day to sign up for Combat Ops Laser Tag. REGISTER HERE. You can pay later, but sign up today! Don't miss out! Get on the text thread to be sent reminders and invites. Text 'stpfw' to 94000 and follow the prompts.